Black Music in the United States

AFST-326

Over the course of the semester, students will study the development of Black music since the arrival of enslaved Africans in the United States in the seventeenth century. They will consider cultural, instrumental, linguistic, musical, and performative retentions in the music. Through readings, lectures, films, discussions, and projects, this course explores the evolution of African American musical genres including spirituals, blues, gospel, classical, jazz, minstrel songs, rap, rhythm and blues, and soul through multimedia examples. Further exploration will cover the development of the American music industry alongside these genres and projects exploring seminal artists, events, and musical elements. 

Credits
3
Prerequisites
AFST-221
Required Of
Black Music and Culture Majors
Electable By
All
Semesters Offered
Spring
Location
Boston
Department
AFR
Course Chair
Mike Mason
Courses may not be offered at the listed locations or taught by the listed faculty for every semester. Consult my.berklee.edu to find course information for a specific semester.